Table Tennis Training Device

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a device for training and correcting table tennis strokes. The invention comprises: a physical pendulum assembly (20), pendulum axel/pivot assembly (30), ball/axel assembly (50), serve practice assembly (40), table tennis ball/axel assembly (50), mounting bracket/clamp assembly (70) and mounting member 60a. The table tennis training device allows a user to develop their table tennis strokes by tangentially striking the table tennis ball of table tennis ball/axel assembly (50), or by rotating physical pendulum assembly (20) approximately 180 degrees and striking a user supplied table tennis ball off of table tennis ball tee (20j). The invention also allows a user to removably secure either, table tennis ball/axel assembly (50), or the table tennis ball tee (20j) into the unattached end of serve practice assembly (40) in order to practice striking a table tennis ball at various heights above a table tennis table.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to Table Tennis training devices.

BACKGROUND

A problem encountered in training for table tennis is that a trainee normally requires a training partner or some type of table tennis robot, in addition to a table tennis table, in order to properly train. The problem with a training partner is that one is not always available. A problem with a robot is that although it can propel table tennis balls toward a trainee, it cannot teach the trainee how to properly perform a stroke so as to impart maximum spin to a table tennis ball. Another problem with both a table tennis robot and a table tennis table is the relative high cost of each.

The disclosed invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems by providing a relatively inexpensive portable device that allows a trainee at their convenience, to practice and develop the table tennis strokes required to properly apply spin to a table tennis ball. In addition, the invention provides feedback to the user regarding the amount of spin applied to a table tennis ball. The present invention can be attached to a table tennis table, standard table, or any substantially flat surface such as a counter top.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 3 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the pendulum assembly rotated 180 degrees.

FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, configured for using the serve assembly.

FIG. 6 shows an incomplete exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment.

FIG. 7a shows an alternate table tennis ball axle configuration.

FIG. 7b shows an alternate table tennis ball axle configuration.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment that has a weighted base.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment that has a base with suction cups.

FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment that has a base with a suction cup.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the disclosure are explained in detail, it should be understood that the disclosure is not limited in its application to the details or construction and the arrangement of components as set forth in the following description or as illustrated in the drawings. The disclosure is capable of supporting other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. It should be understood that the description of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the disclosure from covering all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The various features of novelty which characterize the invention are recited with particularity in the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that the components comprising the invention can be made from a wide variety of different including but not limited to various plastics, metals or composites.

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, attached to a table. For the purpose of this description, the invention will be considered as comprising 5 assemblies and 1 mounting member 60 a. The assemblies are; physical pendulum assembly 20, pendulum axel/pivot assembly 30, serve practice assembly 40, table tennis ball/axel assembly 50 and mounting bracket/clamp assembly 70. Note that in the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 1, mounting member 60 a is shown as being an integral part of mounting bracket/clamp assembly 70, with mounting bracket/clamp assembly 70 providing a means for attaching mounting member 60 a to a table.

Referring to the exploded view shown in FIG. 2, physical pendulum assembly 20 shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of physical pendulum 20 a, bearing/spacer 20 b (which fits into hole 20 n), and table tennis ball tee 20 j. Table tennis ball tee 20 j fits into mounting hole 20 m of physical pendulum 20 a and is removably secured by threaded connector 20 h. Referring again to FIG. 2, physical pendulum assembly 20 is further comprised of table tennis ball/axel assembly 50 shown in FIG. 1. Tennis ball/axel assembly 50 is comprised of table tennis ball axel 50 a which passes through bushing 50 b, table tennis ball through hole 50 c and bushing 50 e. Table tennis ball 50 d is secured to table tennis ball axel 50 a by axel locking nut 50 f. The opposite end of Table tennis ball axel 50 a fits into mounting hole 20 k of physical pendulum 20 a and is removably secured by threaded connector 20 f.

Referring again to FIG. 2, pendulum axel/pivot assembly 30 shown in FIG. 1 is comprised of pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a, partially threaded connector 30 b, compression spring 30 c, and threaded connector 30 f. Note that partially threaded connector 30 b, can be fully threaded if desired.

Referring again to FIG. 2, physical pendulum 20 a is rotatably connected to pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a, by threaded connector 30 b, which passes through compression spring 30 c and bearing/spacer 20 b and is then removably secured into threaded hole 30 d. Note that partially threaded connector 30 b provides a means for rotatably connecting physical pendulum 20 a to pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a. Also note that threaded connector 30 b in conjunction with compression spring 30 c provides a means for varying the friction between physical pendulum 20 a and pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a from very little, to enough to lock the position of physical pendulum 20 a in place. Referring again to FIG. 2, pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a is removably secured to mounting member 60 a by threaded connector 30 f, which passes through hole 60 b into threaded hole 30 e.

Referring again to FIG. 2, mounting bracket/clamp assembly 70 shown in FIG. 1 provides a means for connecting mounting member 60 a to a table top. Mounting bracket/clamp assembly 70 is comprised of mounting member 60 a, mounting bracket/clamp 70 a, threaded connector 70 b which screws into threaded hole 70 c and attaches to flange 70 d. Pad 70 f is attached to the upper inside of the notched section of mounting bracket/clamp 70 a. Note that in FIG. 2, although mounting member 60 a is shown as integral with mounting bracket/clamp 70 a, there are many other possible ways to secure mounting member 60 a to a table top other than mounting bracket/clamp 70 a.

Referring again to FIG. 2, serve practice assembly 40 shown in FIG. 1, is comprised of: threaded fitting 40 e which attaches to one end of repositionable semi-flexible member 40 a, fitting 40 b which attaches to the other end of repositionable semi-flexible member 40 a, and threaded connector 40 c which fits into threaded hole 46 d in fitting 40 b. The other end of fitting 40 e attaches to threaded hole 60 c in mounting member 60 a. Either table tennis ball tee 20 j or table tennis ball axel 50 a can be removably secured into fitting 40 b as shown in FIG. 5 by tightening threaded connector 40 c.

Detailed Description—Alternate Embodiments

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view of an alternate embodiment, showing only the items that differ from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is identical to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 except that partially threaded connector 30 b is replaced by fully threaded connector 30 g which threads first through threaded hole 30 d, passes through bearing/spacer 20 b and compression spring 30 c and then into threaded nut 30 f.

FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b show alternate embodiments of how table tennis ball axel 50 a can be shaped. Note that many other alternate shapes for axel 50 a are possible.

FIG. 8 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention where mounting member 60 a connects to weighted base 70. Weighted base 70 can be solid or hollow and filled with various materials so as to provide the weight required to allow stable operation of the invention. The combination of mounting member 60 a and weighted base 70 provide a means for securing the invention to a table or a substantially flat surface.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention in which mounting member 60 a connects to base 80, which has a plurality of suction cups 90 attached to the bottom of base 80. Base 80 can be weighted or un-weighted. The suction cups allow the invention to be secured anywhere on a substantially flat surface. The combination of mounting member 60 a, base 80 and suction cups 90 provide a means for securing the invention to a table or a substantially flat surface.

FIG. 10 shows an alternate embodiment of the invention where mounting member 60 a connects to a single suction cup 100 of sufficient size to allow the invention to be secured to a table top or substantially flat surface. The combination of mounting member 60 a and suction cup 100 provide a means for securing the invention to a table or a substantially flat surface.

Operation

The invention provides for multiple modes of operation. One such mode allows table tennis ball 50 d to be struck by a user so as to spin about an axis. FIG. 3 shows a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention configured so as to allow this mode of operation. The curved double arrowed line shown in FIG. 3 indicates the natural back and forth motion of pendulum assembly 20 that is possible when table tennis ball 50 d is struck by a table tennis paddle. This resistance to the natural back and forth motion of pendulum assembly 20 is determined by how tight threaded connector 30 b is tightened.

To operate the invention in this mode of operation, the user, uses mounting bracket/clamp assembly 70 to secure the invention to a suitable table. The user then sets the desired position of table tennis ball 50 d by positioning pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a and then tightening threaded connector 30 f. The user then attempts to strike table tennis ball 50 d in a tangential manner so as to impart maximum spin. Feedback is supplied to the user by how much table tennis ball 50 d spins and moves with the natural movement of pendulum assembly 20.

FIG. 4 shows a second mode of operation that allows the user to strike a table tennis ball off of table tennis ball tee 20 j. To operate the invention in this mode, physical pendulum assembly 20 is rotated approximately 180 degrees so that table tennis ball tee 20 j is pointing upward as shown in FIG. 4. After rotation of physical pendulum assembly 20 the user tightens threaded connector 30 b to hold physical pendulum assembly 20 in position. The user then places a table tennis ball onto table tennis ball tee 20 j and strikes the table tennis ball.

A third mode of operation shown in FIG. 5, allows the user to determine the optimum height above a table tennis table that a table tennis ball should be struck for various serves. After using mounting bracket/clamp assembly 70 to secure the invention to a table tennis table, pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a along with physical pendulum 20 a are positioned downward after loosening and re-tightening threaded connector 30 f. Table tennis ball tee 20 j is then inserted into fitting 40 b and secured by tightening threaded connector 40 c. By positioning repositionable semi-flexible member 40 a, the user can then move table tennis ball tee 20 j to various positions and heights above the table tennis table.

A fourth mode of operation is also shown in FIG. 5. In this mode, removable tennis ball/axel 50 a is inserted into fitting 40 b and then secured by tightening threaded connector 40 c. After positioning repositionable semi-flexible member 40 a, the user can practice getting maximum spin on table tennis ball 50 d while practicing various serve motions.

While this description contains many specifics, it should not be construed that these are limitations on the scope of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other possible variations that are within the inventions scope. For example FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b show two of many alternate shapes that table tennis ball axel 50 a could have. Those skilled in the art could change the attachment method where table tennis ball axel 50 a fits into mounting hole 20 k of physical pendulum 20 a and is fastened by threaded connector 20 f, by making mounting hole 20 k a threaded hole, and threading the end of table tennis ball axel 50 a, so that table tennis ball axel 50 a would screw into mounting hole 20 k. This could be done for all the attachments described herein that are removably secured. Those skilled in the art could devise many ways to secure mounting member 60 a and hence the invention to a table or counter top. They could eliminate compression spring 30 c if continuous variable adjustment of friction applied between physical pendulum 20 a and pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a is not desired. They could eliminate bearing/spacer 20 b if smoother movement of physical pendulum 20 a is not desired. They can replace physical pendulum 20 a and axel/pivot member 30 a with a one piece structure if movement of table tennis ball/axel assembly 50 is not desired. This replacement of physical pendulum 20 a and axel/pivot member 30 a would result in bearing/spacer 20 b, compression spring 30 c, and threaded connector 30 b, no longer being required. They can combine pendulum axel/pivot member 30 a and mounting member 60 a into a single structure, hence no longer requiring threaded connector 30 f. 

1. A table tennis training device comprising: a. a physical pendulum having a first and a second end, with a rotatable object secured to said first end of said physical pendulum, and a tee having an upper surface suitable for resting a table tennis ball upon, wherein said tee is secured to said second end of said physical pendulum; b. a pendulum axel/pivot member; c. a mounting member; d. a means for rotatably connecting said physical pendulum to said pendulum axel/pivot member; e. a means for connecting said pendulum axel/pivot member to said mounting member and f. a means for connecting said mounting member to a table.
 2. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said pendulum axel/pivot member is of a predetermined length whereby said physical pendulum is positioned at a predetermined distance from said mounting member.
 3. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said rotatable object is removably secured to said first end of said physical pendulum.
 4. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said tee is removably secured to said second end of said physical pendulum.
 5. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said rotatable object is a table tennis ball through which passes an axel, whereby said table tennis ball can rotate about said axel.
 6. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said physical pendulum is removably secured to said pendulum axel/pivot member.
 7. The table tennis training device of claim 1 wherein said means for rotatably connecting said physical pendulum to said pendulum axel/pivot member includes a means for varying the friction between said physical pendulum and said pendulum axel/pivot member.
 8. The mounting member of claim 1 further including, a repositionable semi-flexible member having a first end and second end, wherein said first end of said repositionable semi-flexible member has a connector that is removably secured to said mounting member.
 9. The repositionable semi-flexible member of claim 8, wherein said second end of said repositionable semi-flexible member includes a connector that can removably secure said axel of claim
 5. 10. The repositionable semi-flexible member of claim 8, wherein said second end of said repositionable semi-flexible member includes a connector that can removably secure said tee of claim
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